15 TV shows we’re looking forward to watching this summer

Without a doubt, the first part of this year has been marked by exceptional TV programming. We’re referring to shows that are not just entertaining but also likely to become timeless classics. Shows such as “Severance” and “The White Lotus” made their comeback, while fresh series like “The Pitt” and “Dying for Sex” graced our screens. It seemed as though the tradition of eagerly awaiting must-watch TV had returned, with a variety catering to every taste – and it appeared that everyone was tuning in.

I’m thrilled to share that the upcoming summer is packed with captivating TV content! In the near future, you can expect some beloved series to make a comeback, alongside fascinating documentaries about timeless classics – one even delving into prehistoric times. Additionally, there are brand-new action-packed shows and comedies that will undoubtedly bring a smile to your face. With everything going on, I believe we could all use a good laugh and an engaging distraction. So, let’s gear up for journeys through old realms, new galaxies, and the present world – we can’t wait to join you in these exciting escapes!

‘Pee-wee as Himself’

(HBO, May 23)

In essence, Paul Reubens expresses his regret that he wasn’t supposed to direct his own documentary, but instead had to sit for 40 hours of interviews. The resulting two-part posthumous documentary, while not sugarcoated, showcases his ambition, artistic prowess, and struggles with anonymity, as well as addressing certain public events and misconceptions. Most importantly, it serves as a poignant reminder of the significant cultural impact that Pee-wee had, and arguably the psychological wellbeing of the nation. Reubens shares with director Matt Wolf, who was unaware of Reubens’ cancer diagnosis, that having the opportunity to convey one’s message even at the eleventh hour is truly remarkable. — Robert Lloyd

‘And Just Like That …’

Season 3 (Max, May 29)

For those who are eagerly anticipating the upcoming season of “And Just Like That …” with curiosity about the absence of Che Diaz (Sara Ramirez), this summer is for you! Although it may not replicate the allure, vitality, and cultural influence of “Sex and the City”, it continues to draw us in with its eccentric and captivating antics. The new season offers a fresh perspective as we catch up with the ladies during a New York City summer.

Carrie (Sarah Jessica Parker), who has spent years chronicling her own and others’ love lives, is now delving into fiction. She’s also navigating life in her three-story Gramercy Park home, complete with rat issues and a flirtatious neighbor, while attempting to sort out her complex relationship with Aidan (John Corbett). Simultaneously, Miranda (Cynthia Nixon) is exploring the dating world following her separation from Che, and Charlotte (Kristin Davis) is dealing with her daughter Lily’s (Cathy Ang) budding romance.

As a friend, I’m here, ready to listen without judgment as these women navigate their questionable decisions. — Yvonne Villarreal

‘Walking With Dinosaurs’

(PBS, June 16)

A deep-rooted fondness for dinosaurs has been with me since the release of “The Land Before Time” in 1988, which was further fueled by “Jurassic Park” in 1993. My passion for these ancient creatures remained undiminished when the original “Walking With Dinosaurs” series aired on U.S. televisions in 2000, offering captivating insights into a world dominated by dinosaurs through the wonders of CGI and animatronics. I can still recall being thrilled by a stegosaurus resisting an allosaurus and feeling sorrow for a T. rex who perished while protecting her offspring. In essence, I eagerly anticipate more informative journeys detailing the lives and extinctions of dinosaurs in this updated version, featuring advanced science and CG animation. Some of the dinosaurs rumored to receive the spotlight are triceratops, spinosaurus, Utahraptors, Albertosaurus, gorgosaurus, and a Lusotitan. – Tracy Brown

‘Outrageous’

(Britbox, June 18)

Instead of the humorous escapades of fictional British nobles, the true-to-life tales of England’s renowned Mitford sisters – some admired, others infamous, some simply carrying on with life – are showcased in this six-part series, spanning the period between the world wars. Get to know novelist Nancy (Bessie Carter, from “Bridgerton”); rustic Pamela (Isobel Jesper Jones); Diana (Joanna Vanderham) and Unity (Shannon Watson), who shared a middle name of Valkyrie, with their fascist leanings; progressive journalist Jessica (Zoe Brough) and Deborah (Orla Hill), a duchess. And don’t forget about fashion, furniture, and automobiles! — R.L.

‘The Gilded Age’

Season 3 (HBO, June 22)

In today’s rapidly changing times, I’m eagerly anticipating a lavish period drama with a low-stakes setting and a focus on high fashion. Transport me to the opulent drawing rooms and grand dining halls of 1880s Manhattan, where I can mingle with railroad tycoons, socially driven women, and a fresh wave of rule-breakers. The cast includes Morgan Spector, Carrie Coon, Christine Baranski, Cynthia Nixon, Nathan Lane, Audra McDonald, and Donna Murphy, to name a few. This series, created by Julian Fellowes of “Downton Abbey” fame, continues its trend of featuring exceptional stage actors; in this case, Phylicia Rashad, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Victoria Clark, Bill Camp, and Leslie Uggams are among the new additions. My one gripe? Like season two, season three consists of only eight episodes. I suppose I’ll have to deal by rewatching the entire series from scratch — yet again. — Ashley Lee

‘Ironheart’

(Disney+, June 24)

For approximately five years, fans like myself have eagerly anticipated the debut of Riri Williams in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). In the comics, Riri is a brilliant engineer who creates her own Iron Man-style armor suit. During the 2022 film “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,” audiences were introduced to Dominique Thorne as Riri, a bright MIT student who plays a significant role in the movie by inventing a vibranium detector and later assisting in building armored suits for the Wakandans. The upcoming series focuses on Riri following the events of “Wakanda Forever,” exploring her background as she returns to her hometown, Chicago. Surrounding Riri is Parker Robbins (Anthony Ramos), a captivating and enigmatic character who wields a magical hood that grants him access to dark arts. Only time will tell if science or magic prevails in the end. — T.B.

‘The Bear’

Season 4 (FX on Hulu, June 25)

Is it possible that the third season of “The Bear” wasn’t as captivating as before, sparking some discussion, but it hasn’t dampened our eagerness to rejoin Carmy and his team in Season 4? The previous season ended with a series of hurdles: The high-end restaurant received a scathing review, Sydney (Ayo Edebiri) contemplated quitting the establishment, and the relationship between Carmy (Jeremy Allen White) and Richie (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) hit a rough patch. These events appear to be laying the groundwork for a season that will explore the repercussions of navigating both the positive and negative aspects of the restaurant world. Moreover, Ayo Edebiri, who made her directorial debut in last season’s acclaimed episode “Napkins,” has co-written an episode with co-star Lionel Boyce (Marcus) for Season 4. This suggests that we can expect a satisfying viewing experience this summer. — Y.V.

‘It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia’

Season 17 (FXX, July 9)

Once again, the group from Paddy’s Pub returns for another exciting season, and there are a couple of reasons why this one is particularly noteworthy: First, it marks the 20th anniversary of the series debut – making it the longest-running live-action comedy series – and second, we have another crossover episode lined up. Earlier in the year, Sweet Dee (Kaitlin Olson), Dennis (Glenn Howerton), Charlie (Charlie Day), Mac (Rob McElhenney) and Frank (Danny DeVito) made an appearance on ABC’s “Abbott Elementary,” where they performed some community service due to a court order. In the upcoming season, the characters from “Abbott Elementary” will be featured in “Sunny,” providing us with a unique perspective of the gang’s experiences. But that’s not all. The central theme for this season is “The Gang Adapts to the Corporate Age,” which seems fitting given our current times when money dominates everything. I, for one, am eager to see them in their new roles as corporate executives. — Maira Garcia

‘Too Much’

(Netflix, July 10)

13 years have passed since Lena Dunham’s HBO show “Girls,” which depicted a group of 20-something New Yorkers navigating life in their own messy ways, premiered. Now, for her new project on Netflix, titled “Too Much,” Dunham is delving into the next stage of life. This romantic comedy series, co-created with her husband Luis Felber, aims to portray that your 30s can be just as chaotic but also filled with happiness.

Megan Stalter plays Jessica, a workaholic who moves from New York to London after her relationship ends, and Will Sharpe stars as Felix, a Londoner who becomes Jessica’s romantic interest. Stalter, who has been winning over viewers with her role as Kayla in “Hacks,” is likely to continue gaining popularity with this series.

— M.G.

‘Dexter: Resurrection’

(Paramount+ with Showtime, July 11)

Despite being killed by his son in a 2022 reboot, Dexter Morgan, the notorious serial killer character from Showtime’s hit series “Dexter,” is coming back to life for another installment titled “Dexter: Resurrection.” This new series will continue the storyline of “Dexter: New Blood” sequel and find Dexter waking up from a coma, only to discover that his son has disappeared. The cast includes Uma Thurman, David Zayas reprising his role as Det. Angel Batista, and James Remar returning as Morgan’s father Harry Morgan.

‘Chief of War’

(Apple TV+, Aug. 1)

This upcoming nine-episode miniseries, titled “Ka‘iana,” focuses on the tale of a pre-colonial Hawaiian warrior who strives to unify the islands. Starring Jason Momoa, Luciane Buchanan (“The Night Agent”), and Temuera Morrison (“The Mandalorian”), this historical drama aims to shed light on Native Hawaiian history that has been underrepresented in film and television. Alongside his acting role, Momoa also co-wrote the series with Thomas Pa’a Sibbett and serves as an executive producer. The epic battle scenes and historical narrative may draw comparisons to “Shogun,” but this is not necessarily a negative aspect given its past success. Moreover, it signifies progress in on-screen representation and the creation of more diverse and inclusive epics. — M.G.

‘Wednesday’

Season 2, Part 1 (Netflix, Aug. 6)

Three years have passed, and it’s exciting to see Jenna Ortega reprise her role as our beloved goth detective Wednesday Addams. Alongside her, the rest of the Addams family is returning, including her brother Pugsley (Isaac Ordonez), who will now attend Nevermore Academy, and their parents Morticia (Catherine Zeta-Jones) and Gomez (Luis Guzmán), who will also be present on campus. This news might make any teenager feel like they’ve had enough drama — metaphorically speaking! But at least Wednesday won’t be alone; she’ll have Thing by her side, as well as her roommate Enid (Emma Myers), who was her sunny opposite in the Season 1 finale but ended up embracing her. Fred Armisen will reprise his role as Uncle Fester, and Tyler, played by Hunter Doohan, will also return. New additions to the cast include Joanna Lumley as Grandmama Hester Frump and Steve Buscemi as Nevermore’s new principal Barry Dort. With these developments and hopefully another great soundtrack — remember the dance scene with “Goo Goo Muck” from last season? — I’ll be satisfied. — M.G.

‘Outlander: Blood of My Blood’

(Starz, Aug. 8)

Hard to imagine that the captivating time-travel series, “Outlander,” which essentially serves as an unofficial Visit Scotland ad, debuted in 2014. Considering the multitude of outstanding shows that struggle to reach a fourth season, this is truly extraordinary time travel! As we eagerly await the eighth and final season of the show, which will air sometime this year or next, the prequel “Blood of My Blood” takes us on a journey. This series delves into the love stories of earlier generations, specifically the parents of the main characters in “Outlander,” namely Claire (Caitriona Balfe) and Jamie (Sam Heughan), who are born in the 20th and 18th centuries respectively. “Blood of My Blood” seamlessly transitions between World War I and the height of Highland culture, making it a quintessential period drama. “Outlander” enthusiasts will be introduced to younger versions of familiar characters and, hopefully, learn more about how Claire acquired her time-travel abilities. Most importantly, we all get to revisit Scotland. — Mary McNamara

‘Alien: Earth’

(FX on Hulu, Aug. 12)

40 years after its initial release, “Alien” still ranks as one of the most terrifying films ever produced, with scenes that continue to haunt viewers even after multiple watchings. Only James Cameron’s “Aliens” has come close to matching the impact of Ridley Scott’s original in the subsequent sequels, although many fans appreciated 2024’s “Alien: Romulus.” The iconic extraterrestrial monster is poised to wreak havoc once more in “Alien: Earth,” debuting this summer. In this new installment, a young woman (Sydney Chandler) and a team of tactical soldiers encounter a mysterious spaceship that crashes on Earth. The series is created, written, and directed by Noah Hawley, who has extended the storyline from the 1996 film “Fargo,” turning it into an acclaimed and imaginative anthology series. The cast includes Timothy Olyphant (“Justified”). — G.B.

‘Fixed’

(Netflix, Aug. 13)

Stepping into the shoes of a contemporary movie critic, let me share my thoughts on this adult-oriented take on “Lady and the Tramp,” cleverly titled by its creators. Genndy Tartakovsky, mastermind behind shows like “Dexter’s Laboratory” and “Samurai Jack,” brings us an R-rated comedy that follows a dog who finds out he’s due for a neutering appointment tomorrow. Determined to make the most of his last day of freedom, our canine protagonist embarks on an unforgettable adventure.

This streaming film boasts stunning 2D animation, a timeless cartoon format that truly shines, with subtle influences from animators like Tex Avery and Chuck Jones. The voice cast is nothing short of stellar, with Adam Devine lending his talents to our main character, while Kathryn Hahn, Idris Elba, Bobby Moynihan, Fred Armisen, Michelle Buteau, and Beck Bennett round out the supporting roles.

In essence, this animated film promises a delightful blend of humor, adventure, and heartfelt moments that will surely resonate with audiences, all wrapped up in the glorious 2D animation format we’ve come to love and appreciate. — R.L.

2025-05-15 13:35